In general, the earlier you seek help for your hearing loss, the more effective your treatment will be. Therefore, we encourage you to reach out for help as soon as you notice early signs of hearing loss. Learn more below.
When is it time to seek help for hearing loss?
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6 signs you should seek help for your hearing loss
If you experience one or more of the signs below, it's a good idea to get your hearing checked.
Learn how to recognise signs that you should seek help.
Signs of hearing loss
Learn how to recognise signs that you should seek help.
Signs of hearing loss
1. Difficulty following conversations
You have difficulty following group conversations (or when background noise is present)
2. Phone conversations are unclear
You have trouble following phone conversations in quiet and noisy places
3. People seem to be mumbling
You often ask people to repeat themselves. Sounds seem unclear, or people sound like they are mumbling
4. Difficulty locating sounds
You have difficulty locating where sounds are coming from
5. Signs of tinnitus
You're experiencing ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears (called tinnitus)
6. Turning up the TV too loud
Your friends and family say you turn the television up too loud
Test yourself: Should I get a hearing test?
Answer the 4 questions below to see if you should consider getting a hearing test.
Question 1 – Around the table
Do you have trouble following conversations, when there are 4 or more people present?
Question 2 – Family and friends
Have you received advice from your family or friends to get your hearing tested?
Question 3 – Understand what others say
Do you ever struggle to understand what others are saying because you cannot hear properly?
Question 4 – TV or radio
Do you find yourself turning up the TV or radio even when the volume is loud enough for others?
Your Result:
A hearing test is relevant for you
Your answers indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. We strongly recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Book your free hearing test:
Your Result:
A hearing test seems relevant for you
Your answers indicate that you experience some symptoms of hearing loss. We recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Book your free hearing test:
Your Result:
It cannot be determined here if a hearing test is relevant for you
Your answers do not indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. However, if you experience trouble hearing, we recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Book your free hearing test:
Does hearing loss get worse if left untreated?
If any level of hearing loss is left untreated, the brain gradually loses its ability to process information (due to the lack of auditory stimulation).
This means that the longer you wait to seek treatment, the harder it will be for your brain to make sense of sounds, and the longer it will take to get used to wearing hearing aids.
6 benefits of using hearing aids
1. Hear clearly in most situations and enjoy life more
2. Be able to participate in conversation again
3. Avoid the stress and discomfort caused by hearing loss
4. Avoid having to ask people to repeat themselves
5. Hear phone conversations effortlessly
6. Listen to the TV at the same volume as other people around you
Treating hearing loss with hearing aids
Most types of hearing loss are treated with hearing aids. For those with more severe hearing loss, there are other options available, such as a cochlear implant or a bone-anchored hearing system.
Hearing aid technology has progressed significantly over the past two decades, improving the quality of hearing aids and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
4 common myths about hearing loss treatment that are no longer true
When to seek help immediately
If you experience any of the following signs, you should seek medical attention immediately.
- Sudden loss of hearing
- "Stuffy” feeling in the ear
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Loud popping sound in the ear followed by hearing loss
Call us immediately if you experience symptoms of sudden hearing loss.
Sources
1. https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/46306-Hearing-loss-auditory-deprivation
2. G Livingston, Jonathan Huntley, Andrew Sommerlad, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet. July 30, 2020.
3. MarkeTrak 10, Marketing Research, Inc.
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111503/
5. https://www.oticon.ca/professionals/products/hearing-aids/opn-ite
6. https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52638-Top-five-myths-about-hearing-loss
7. Deal JA, Betz J, Yaffe K, et al, for the Health ABC Study Group. Hearing impairment and incident dementia and cognitive decline in older adults: the Health ABC Study J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2016; published online April 12. DOI:10.1093/gerona/glw069. 66
8. Lin FR, Metter EJ, O’Brien RJ, Resnick SM, Zonderman AB, Ferrucci L. Hearing loss and incident dementia. Arch Neurol 2011; 68: 214–20. 67
9. Gallacher J, Ilubaera V, Ben-Shlomo Y, et al. Auditory threshold, phonologic demand, and incident dementia. Neurology 2012; 79: 1583–90
10. The National Council on Aging, The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss in Older Persons, May 1999. https://www.ncoa.org/wp-content/uploads/NCOA-Study-1999.pdf
11. Beck DL, Clark, JL. Audition matters more as cognition declines and cognition matters more as audition declines. Audiology To-day. 2009;(3):48-59.
12. Jung D, Bhattacharyya N. Association of hearing loss with decreased employment and income among adults in the United States. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2012;121(12):771–775. [PubMed]
13. Yuan, J., Sun, Y., Sang, S., Pham, J. H., and Kong, W. J. (2018). The risk of cognitive impairment associated with hearing function in older adults: a pooled analysis of data from eleven studies. Sci. Rep. 8:2137. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20496-w